SHABANI SIMWANZA
Accounting & Finance
Lusaka,Lusaka Province
Summary
Experienced Finance Manager with over a decade of expertise in financial planning, analysis, and management. Skilled in leading diverse teams to achieve financial objectives and driving strategic initiatives for organizational enhancement. Proficient in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in demanding environments. Possess a keen analytical mindset, focused on process optimization and financial efficiency improvement. Acknowledged for delivering cost savings, revenue enhancement, and profitability gains. Strong communication skills, capable of presenting complex financial information to various audiences. Seeking to apply extensive financial leadership in a growing and high-performing organization. Seasoned Finance Manager with a proven track record in strategic financial planning and budget management. Possess strong skills in financial forecasting, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost savings while maintaining high standards of financial integrity and control. Committed to delivering impactful results through collaborative leadership and cross-functional team engagement.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Finance Manager
NHIMA -Project
02.2020 - Current
- Oversee all financial operations and accounting functions to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations and reporting standards.
- Ensure preparation of accurate financial reports in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal financial reporting standards(IFRSs)
- Provide monthly management accounts to management for financial performance review and strategic action
- Coordinate, analyse and report the financial performance of the company to Management and the Board of Directors (financial performance, projections as required).
- Maintain and update the fixed assets register, including posting depreciation and amortization, and ensure proper asset coding.
- On an ongoing basis, manage budgeting, forecasting, bank reconciliations projections, Annual Financial Report.
- Cash flow analysis
- Identify methods to enhance overall efficiency and performance, taking an active role in day-to-day operations and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Advise and recommend to management on any budget line that may require variation
- Providing annual projected cashflow for the organization
- Monitor weekly cash flows to support operations and ensure sufficient working capital.
- Ensure tax compliance by submitting returns and payments as required by the revenue authority.
- Implement internal and external financial controls as established by the organisation
- To ensure that all possible risks facing the organization are identified, classified and managed in accordance with the organization's risk appetite
- Prepare and oversee audit requirements,ensuring all audits are conducted according to guidelines and are done with the stipulated timeframe.
- Managing relationships with auditors and regulatory authorities and coordinate activities for the compliant review of company's performance.
- Managing other key stakeholder to the organization like creditors and debtors
- Recommend for investment in different investment classes any excess finances
- Maintaining good relationships with banks, oversees system suppliers with effective payment plans
- Managing forex payments by minimizing the organization exposure to forex loses
- Lead and supervise the finance team, provide training, coaching and mentorship among other initiatives to foster professional growth and increased capacity to address business requirements.
- Communicate with team members and executives, present findings to stakeholders, and ensure effective communication among team members.
- Managed multiple audits concurrently, both internal and external audits from within the organisation and any other special audits as requested.
- Prepare financial report for the Project, which are subject to a full audit giving the true financial position of the organisation, which is used by the organisation for planning and financial review and other external stakeholders.
- Managed monthly and annual budgets. Subjected monthly review through management accounts, highlighting any expenditure line that seems to go beyond the budget so that intervention can be put in place to avoid budget overrun.
- Provided Management with key risk facing the organization financially and suggested possible mitigation measures.
- Recommended for investment products that resulted in better returns and yields for the organisation.
ACCOUNTANT EXPENDITURE
ZSIC LIFE LTD
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Prepare monthly and quarterly management accounts for timely review of company operations by management.
- Generate daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow reports to facilitate effective financial planning.
- Develop the annual corporate budget by incorporating departmental budgets based on the company's Strategic Business Plan (SBP).
- Ensure timely payment of staff, suppliers, and claims.
- Reconcile all supplier statements and conduct year-end circularization.
- Verify that all payments adhere to internal control procedures, including checking, authorization, pre-audit, and procurement procedures.
- Ensure timely payment and reconciliation of statutory payments such as taxes (VAT, IPL, PAYE, COP TAX) and NAPSA to avoid penalties.
- Prepare and submit the PIA return.
- Coordinate with the investment team to invest uncommitted cash for short-term returns.
- Maintain sufficient funding in all payment accounts to avoid overdrafts and associated bank charges.
- Produce daily bank balance reports to inform management about the company's cash position for working capital management.
- Maintain the company's asset register, including adding fixed assets and ensuring accurate depreciation.
- Coordinate the annual audit by communicating with auditors, providing audit requirements, and addressing audit queries.
- Improved management decision-making through timely report preparation.
- Assisted in the timely preparation of audited financial statements for assessing the company's financial position.
- Ensured financial control by monitoring department budgets and producing budget tracking reports.
- Provided strategic advice to improve the company's financial management efficiency.
Assistant Accountant | Revenue
ZSIC LIFE PLC
01.2011 - 12.2015
- Generate daily revenue reports and monthly performance reports.
- Issue receipts to clients for all income received and ensure timely banking.
- Reconcile bank accounts and reconcile premium income and claims paid with underwriters.
- Reconcile real estate rental unit charges with account charges.
Loan Consultant
Bayport
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Disbursing loans to eligible clients.
- Refinancing loans and providing clear advice to clients regarding interest rates and deductions.
- Generating daily reports on total loans issued and refinanced.
- Acting as the fund manager for Kwacha Mover, transferring funds between consultant accounts to fulfill client payouts.
- Creating a daily consolidated report for inbound and outbound transfers.
- Establishing accounts for new clients, ensuring accurate data entry for loan recovery purposes.
Education
MSc - Accounting & Finance
UNZA
12.2025
CIMA -
ASTRANTI
UK01.2019
ZICA - Accounting And Finance
ZABTUC
LUSAKA01.2008
School Certificate -
St Francis High School
KASAMA01.2004
Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Financial analysis
- Risk assessment
- Cash flow management
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial reporting
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder communication
- Strategic planning
- Proficient in [Microsoft office)
- Budget management
- Reports
- Knowledge of IFRS
- Organisational Skills
- Strong Analytical Skills
- Problem Solving
- Good communication skills
- Stakeholder management
- Leadership Skills
- SUN System
- Navision
- SAGE
- Radix
Affiliations
- ZICA-A007629
- ACMA-CGMA-990364695
Accomplishments
- Managed multiple audits concurrently, both internal and external audits.
- Prepared financial report for the Project, which are subject to a full audit.
- Managed monthly and annual budgets, subjected to monthly review.
- Provided Management with key risk facing the organization financially and suggested possible mitigation measures.
- Recommended for investment products that resulted in better returns and yields for the organization.
References
- Mr. Petulu Kazungo, Finance Director, Zsic Life, Po box 30507, Lusaka, Zambia, +260966-926524
- Mr. Kay Chirwa, Human Resource Business Consultant, African Union Civil Workers, Sub African Union Holdings (Pyt RSA), Lusaka, Zambia, +260955-955955
- Mr. Jacob Chirwa, Project Lead, ZSIC LIFE PLC, Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia, +260957599700, +260977377769
Languages
- English
- Nyanja
- Bemba
Certification
HEALTH CARE FINANCING—World Health Organisation
Timeline
Finance Manager
NHIMA -Project
02.2020 - Current
ACCOUNTANT EXPENDITURE
ZSIC LIFE LTD
01.2016 - 01.2020
Assistant Accountant | Revenue
ZSIC LIFE PLC
01.2011 - 12.2015
Loan Consultant
Bayport
01.2010 - 01.2011
MSc - Accounting & Finance
UNZA
CIMA -
ASTRANTI
ZICA - Accounting And Finance
ZABTUC
School Certificate -
St Francis High School